Rapid improvements made at Redcar and Cleveland College have been praised today in a report published by Ofsted.
The college has been recognised for “effective early action” already taking place to develop its services, with a clear focus to meet the needs of the local community.
The report follows the education inspectorate’s first monitoring visit since the college received a grade 4 in November.
Returning to the college in January, Ofsted inspectors found that progress has already been swift, reporting, “early and rapid improvements in the leadership and management of the college”.
Ofsted stated: “Leaders and managers acted quickly following the inspection to put in place a detailed, relevant and helpful post-inspection improvement plan.”
As a result, they are already seeing effective action to improve attendance, retention and reporting to governors. Leaders and managers have focused on reviewing the curriculum so that it “meets local needs more effectively”. While the governing body was described as “radically transformed” with more frequent board meetings, clear guidance and accountability.
The report stated that the college has benefited from the leadership and senior management support provided as it works towards a merger with Stockton Riverside College, a move that will help to sustain and further enhance 16+ provision for the borough.
Ed Heatley, acting Principal at Redcar & Cleveland College, said: “We remain steadfastly committed to providing a quality education and skills provision for the people of Redcar. As a team, we are pleased with the findings of Ofsted’s first monitoring visit and we are confident that, building upon the momentum we have already created, we will continue to implement an effective improvement plan.”
Chair of Redcar and Cleveland College Board and Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, Sue Jeffrey, said: “Redcar and Cleveland College staff and governing board have been quick to put improvement measures into place and we are delighted that Ofsted has recognised the positive progress already made.
“Our students, learners and the communities that we serve remain our priority, along with maintaining a quality education and skills provision in Redcar and Cleveland. We recognise that there is more hard work ahead but the college has a clear focus on improvement and is committed to building on the positive feedback.”